Folding table



BBBLYTHB. FOLDING TALB. VVINO. 268,990. Patented Dec. 12.18812.

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Patented Deo. 12,1882..

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UNITED STATES l PATENT anice.

FOLDINGTABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,990, dated December 12, 1882,

' Application led February 20, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD F. BLYTHE, a citizen ofthe United States, residing in Phili adelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain improvements in Folding Tables, of which the 'following is a specification.

` has been designed as a pasting-table for paperhangers; but it is available for other uses, as will be evident. p Y

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a perspective view ofthe table when in position for use 5 Fig. 2, a perspective View,f

on 'a larger scale, of a portion of the table, showing the sa-me folded for transportation; Fig. 3, Sheet 2, a `view of the table inverted; Fig. 4, a perspective view, showing the method of folding the table and of disposing of the legs and braces prior-tofolding'; Figs. 5 to 11, inclusive, detached views, showing the methods ot connecting and locking the legs and braces; and Fig. 12, a view of a modification. 1 i

The top A of the table consi-sts of narrow longitudinal strips of woodsecured to a backing of canvas or other fabric in the manner usual in making chair-seats, wood carpeting, &c.

The supporting structure of the table coinprises transverse braces B, folding legs D D', and longitudinal braces E. Each ofthe braces B is pivoted at one end by a pin, cato the under side ot' the table-top A, so as to be capable ot' assuming the transverse position shown in Fig. 3 or the longitudinal position shown l The legs D D are pivoted together by a central bolt, f, so that said legs may be extended, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, when used to sup- 'port the table, or may be caused to overlap and lie parallel with each other, as shown in Fig. 4, when itis desired to fold the table. The legs D are hung to the braces B by the combined hinge and pivot joint shown in Figs. 5 and 6, this joint comprising an ordinary hinge, the leaves ot' which are pivoted to the brace and leg by pins g, whereby the legs D may be I turned to a position in line with the braces, as

shown in Figs. 4 and 5, or may be turned up at right angles tosaid braces and adjusted to the desired inclination laterally in respect thereto, which may be necessary in. extending the legs, as shownin Figs-1, 3, and 6. When the legs are extended the upper ends of the legs D are secured to tbe'braces B byatenon, ,on each leg D', fitting into a mortise, 7s, in the brace, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

The mortise and tenon may be strengthened byr metal plates, if desired.

Thebraces E extend diagonally and trans versely from the lower end ot' the leg D and upper end ofthe leg D at one end of the table to the` Lipper end of the leg D and lower end of the leg D at the opposite end ofthe table, and each brace is made of two strips, pivoted together by a pin, m, so that said strips may be caused to4 overlap each other, as shown in Fig..4, or may be adjusted so that one willl form an extension ot' the other, as shown in Figs. l and 3, the pivot being at some distance from the end' of one ofthe strips, whereby when the strips are extended the two may be heldin proper position bya ring, n, slipped over the projecting portion ot' the strip, as shownin Figs. l and The braces E are ,each hung at one end to one of the legs by a combined hinge and pivotjoint, (see Figs. 9 and 10,) one leat' of the hinge being secured to the leg, and the other leaf being furnished with a pivot-pimp, where- 'by the brace E is hung to the hinge, this means of attachment providing for the disposal of the braces in line with the legs, as in Figs. 4 and 9, when the table is to be folded,or permitting said bra-cee to be turned to the necessary angle `for forming-part of the supporting structure,

as shown 'in Figs. l, 3, and 10. The opposite IOO ends of the braces are slotted for use in connection with turn-buckles s on the legs D D', lwhereby the braces are secured to said legs in edge, so that the exible top can be folded from each edge, so as to inclose the legs and braces, as shown in Figs.2 and 4, straps x, fastened to the under side'of 4the table-top, serving to confine the structure when thus folded, and to provide a means of readily carrying the same.

Both braces B may, if desired, be pivoted to one edge ofthe table-top, the pivot ofone brace being somewhat farther from the edge than that of the other brace, so that when in the longitudinal position one brace will lie alongside of the other.

- While I prefer, on account ot' their compactness, to use the combined hinge and pivot con- ,nections shown for the legs D and braces B,

such connections are not absolutely necessary in carrying out my invention..- For instance, the top A may have on the under side inclined blocks, suoli as shown in Fig. 12, to which blocks the legs D are pivoted, the inclination being such as to impart the proper angle to the two pairs of legs, D D', each pair being centrally pivoted and capable of being spread or con tracted, as set forth, and one leg, D, of each pair being hung to the table-top, so as to be folded down in line longitudinally therewith, the other leg, D', being detachable from the top, as set forth.

2. The combination, in a folding table, of a top, A, which admits of being rolled up, a brace, B, pivoted to said top, so as to admit of either transverse or longitudinal adjustment in respect thereto, and centrally-pivoted legs D D', one of which is hung to the brace, so as to be folded in line therewith, the other leg being detachable from the brace, as set forth.

3. The combination ofthe top A, Which admits of being rolled up, with two braces,B,piv oted to the under side of said top, each brace carryingpivoted legs D D' and braces E, which admit of being folded inline with the braces B, as set forth.

4. The combination ofthe top A, which admits of being rolled up, with the braces B,one

lhung to the top near one edge'and the other hung to said top near the opposite edge, and each carrying pivoted legs D D' and braces E, which admitof being folded i'n line with the braces, as set forth.

5. The combination of the top A, Which ad- EDWD. F. BLYTHE.

Witnesses: Y

HARRY DRURY, HARRY SMITH. 

